Family Volunteer Day - November 22nd

by Carol Grinage, volunteer contributor

When we, as adults, see the overall selfishness in society, we worry about today’s children. We wonder how they will learn the spirit of giving to others and caring about others. We wonder what we can do or if there is anything that we can do. Luckily, there is something that we can do to build this trait, and that is volunteering as a family.

Points of Light has designated November 22 as Family Volunteer Day. This is a day in which families volunteer to give back to their community. This day gives parents a chance to show by example the acts of giving and caring. In return, children learn from their parents these traits, and they learn by doing not by lecture. In addition, Family Volunteer Day is a wonderful way for families to bond and create lasting memories by helping others.

So, you are now convinced that Family Volunteer Day would be a pretty cool way to spend quality time as a family. Now, you ask, “What can we do as a family? Will it be difficult? Will it be inconvenient? How do we get started?”

To get started, go to the Points of Light website.

If you are the planning and creative type, there are instructions that guide you as to how to set up your family volunteer project. If you are not so sure about volunteering and you would like some ready-made ideas, you can also find these on the Points of Light website.

There are many different projects that are a good fit for many families. For example, you can volunteer to walk dogs at a shelter or you can create a care package for a troop overseas or you can read to preschool-aged children and give them books. These are just some examples of the many possible family projects.

Once you and your family have completed your project, you will learn what many social scientists have discovered – helping others makes us happy. So…what is your family project this year?

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World Humanitarian Day—The World Needs More

by Suzanne Wiley, volunteer contributor

"Things just started to fly. I heard an explosion and everything was upside down. I don't know, I don't know where they all are.''

This is Mahal al-Khatib’s answer to a journalist’s inquiry immediately after a car bomb exploded outside a converted hotel serving as the United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad Iraq. Mahal al-Khatib was a secretary working for the UN along with hundreds of other aid workers helping to find homes for displaced Iraqis, distributing food, repairing electricity and defusing land mines scattered around the country. 

On August 19, 2003, a cement truck packed full of bombs exploded underneath a window of the office of Brazilian UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello. The terrorist attack—the worst attack on the UN in history—killed 22 people and injured at least 100 more. 

One month later, another car bomb exploded in the UN’s parking lot, killing two and wounding 12. On October, 27, 2003, just a little over two months after the devastating attack on UN headquarters, a series of car bombs injured over 220 people all over Baghdad, including an attack on the International Committee for the Red Cross office. It was the first time for a suicide bomber to attack the Red Cross. Fifteen people were killed when an ambulance sped into the Red Cross compound, exploding at its entry gate. 

The rush of attacks drove the United Nations to create World Humanitarian Day. Every year, on August 19, the United Nations encourages everyone to not only honor and remember humanitarian workers from around the world who have died while serving and helping others, but also celebrate those dedicated to responding to the needs of victims of disaster and war worldwide.

“More People Than Ever Before Need Our Help”

The World Humanitarian Day 2014 theme is “The world needs more…” The United Nations is asking everyone to step up, become a humanitarian, and join the Messengers of Humanity community to stand up and make a difference in the world. Becoming a humanitarian does not cost money, or time, nor do you need any type of specialized training. In fact, you might just be a humanitarian already. The definition of humanitarian is 

1. Having concern for or helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people
2. Involved in improving people’s lives and reducing suffering

When I asked my 200 plus Facebook friends what the world needs more of, I received these responses:
• Love
• Compassion
• Understanding
• Empathy
• Tolerance
• Acceptance
• Hope 
• Kindness 
• Peace

These reasons why we have World Humanitarian Day—we believe in the human spirit and passing these positive qualities to others. To help others in need during a crisis surely requires patience, compassion, humility, kindness, and love. You might be thinking you are too busy, too tied down, not financially able or too frightened to drop what you are doing and travel overseas to help. However, what the United Nations emphasizes is that humanitarians usually serve in their home countries. World Humanitarian Day starts right here. In our backyards, in our neighborhoods and in our surrounding communities. It is as simples as offering a hug or a warm blanket to someone who just lost their house in a fire, or as far reaching as Fort Worth doctor, Kent Brantly working for Samaritan’s Purse who responded to the needs of thousands suffering from Ebola in West Africa. World Humanitarian Day honors those who have lost their lives in the line of duty—not because they were paid to be there, but because of their love, compassion, understanding, empathy, tolerance, acceptance, hope, kindness and peace. 

The world needs more… volunteers. Won’t you start becoming a Messenger of Humanity today and sign up? There are many ways to volunteer. After all, more people than ever before need our help.

What do you think the world needs more of? Add your hashtag below!

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Local Red Cross Volunteer Featured in Weatherford NOW Magazine

This story is reposted from the August 2014 issue of Weatherford NOW Magazine. To read the complete article, visit the online issue and turn to page 24. Thank you to Weatherford NOW for sharing this great story about one of our amazing volunteers!

A Helping Hand
by Amber D. Browne

Growing up along the Gulf Coast in Corpus Christi, Larry Bushwar became familiar with the threat of tropical storms and hurricanes. His parents rode out a few of the storms when he was a child, and he saw first-hand the destruction caused by Mother Nature. "Disasters do not
discriminate between races, gender or economic status. I saw how people from all walks of life stood together to help their fellow neighbors in tough times," Larry explained. "Even though I was a child, those things stick in your mind forever."

As an adult living in Wichita Falls, Larry experienced another brush with a natural disaster. He had recently graduated from The University of Texas at Austin and was working for the Internal Revenue Service. A massive tornado touched down near his apartment complex during the spring of 1979. 

"That was my first time to see a tornado up close. I actually saw the tornado. It was huge,” Larry explained. 

As an IRS representative, Larry worked with residents who had been affected by the destruction of the tornado. “I guess this is where I really realized how helpful I could be in a disaster,” he said. “I saw how all these people and organizations all came together for the common good of our fellow neighbors.”

That instinct and determination to help others led Larry to the American Red Cross. He volunteers with the Red Cross as a government operations liaison and a disaster assessment coordinator. His primary focus is working with state and city officials during a disaster.

To read the complete article, visit the online issue and turn to page 24.

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Veteran Dr. D'Angio Recalls Red Cross Acts of Kindness

by Heather Wedel, Communications Specialist, American Red Cross North Texas Region

World War II veteran Dr. Giulio D'Angio (now 92), former Captain and head of the 284th Medical Dispensary in the Army Air Corps was stationed on the air base of Kanoya on the southern island of Kyushu, the third largest island in Japan when he received what he calls "a pleasant surprise that the troops were still remembered in such acts of kindness."

A tradition since World War I, Red Cross volunteers would hand-knit heavy-duty wool Red Cross socks for the troops to give them warmth, a sense of home and to help prevent trench foot while at war. Dr. D'Angio states, "Trench foot was a real hazard for ground troops in active theaters."

Although Dr. D'Angio was comfortably housed, and not in high risk of getting trench foot, he still says that the Red Cross knitted socks brought a sense of comfort to him. While Dr. D'Angio was in Japan for his two years overseas, he received the socks by mail, he guesses around 1947. 

In February 2014, nearly 70 years later, Dr. D'Angio still had the Red Cross knitted socks and decided it would be best to return them to the Red Cross chapter that blessed him with them. The socks, along with Dr. D'Angio's letter written to the Red Cross Dallas Area Chapter are now framed and displayed on our Red Cross memorabilia display case.

When asked why he chose to return the socks to the Red Cross, Dr. D'Angio said, "Gratitude for your kindness. One good turn deserves another. I feared that they will be discarded when I'm gone, I'll be 93 in a few days, and I thought that they deserved a better fate."

To the volunteers that graciously knit the socks, Dr. D'Angio says, "Thanks again, and to all of those who followed, you do wonderful things for people who are in need of help."

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Dr. D'Angio now resides in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA with his second wife, Dr. Audrey Evans. After wearing the uniform for six years, Dr. D'Angio practiced as a radiation therapist for 50 years, specializing in childhood malignant diseases. Dr. D'Angio is a prolific author and has been honored by many national and international pediatric and radiology societies for his work.

Today, American Red Cross volunteers continue knitting and sewing for those who need comfort and protection. In our Dallas Area Chapter, our production room volunteers sew and knit blankets for children's hospitals, as well as cooling neck wraps for active soldiers made from military uniform fabric.

This week, between Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day, the Red Cross invites you to help us continue to provide vital services to thousands of military service members, veterans and their families each year, keeping military families connected during emergencies, connecting families with local resources and supporting wounded warriors and military hospitals. Join us in #HonoringHeroes. Visit Crowdrise.com/HonoringHeroes for more information.

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Volunteering for the American Red Cross Makes One Volunteer's Heart Flutter

by Heather Wedel, Communications Specialist, American Red Cross North Texas Region

American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces volunteer, Julie McDaniel says volunteering at the Tyler, TX veterans home is where she is meant to be. 

Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) includes linking military families during times of emergency, connecting families with local community resources, providing resiliency training and supporting wounded warriors and military hospitals.

After suffering a stroke, McDaniel, a mother of four, had to accept the fact that she was going to have to find a new normal. With her kids fully grown and her husband retired, she was looking for something fulfilling. Her husband, who is a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle group that travels to various events to honor fallen military heroes, first responders and honorably discharged veterans, inspired Julie to think, "Why golly, why can't I do something?"

McDaniel started volunteering with the Red Cross East Texas Piney Woods Chapter in June 2013 and wasn't sure what she would be able to provide for her community. She figured that she would be wonderful as an office volunteer, which she does every Friday at the chapter. Yet, when she saw an opportunity to volunteer at the veterans home, she knew she had found her place. 

"When I saw that volunteers were needed at the veterans home, my heart just kept beating," said McDaniel. "I couldn't help but think 'Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh.' I didn't know what was involved in the opportunity, I just knew that I wanted to be there."

The veterans home in Tyler, TX opened in 2012, and the partnership with the Red Cross was new when Julie joined the volunteer team. The Red Cross was assigned Cottage D at the veterans home which housed ten veterans, two of which are bedridden, one capable of walking and the rest in wheelchairs. 

"When I first walked in, I had nothing to go on, it was a blank canvas. I immediately fell in love with the guys, the staff and the concept. It was a twofer, I work with veterans that I greatly care about, and I work with the Red Cross which I also greatly care for."

McDaniel's role at Cottage D of the veterans home quickly turned into a type of activity's director role. With her cottage not being so mobile, she focuses on trying to motivate them to do things that are fun. McDaniel says she loves hosting parties for the vets; everything from Super bowl parties to decorating sugar cookies at Christmas. 

"I've never seen grown men have so much fun doing something so simple," said McDaniel. "We're family now, we celebrate their birthdays and I take cake and balloons. We even had a sweet heart dinner for their spouses and significant others on Valentine's Day." 

In the next couple of months, McDaniel plans to help build a raised vegetable garden for the veterans. She says that the garden will help get the less mobile veterans outside, and will give them the chance to feel like they have ownership of something. 

After volunteering at the Veteran's home for less than a year, McDaniel says that she's learned more about the wars now than she ever learned in movies or in school. 

"My guys are from all over, some were in World War II, the Korean War and the Afghan War. When they tell their stories, some with tears in their eyes, their posture changes, they sit up straight as if they almost want to salute you," said McDaniel. 

"Mr. Barker, the first vet to approach me when I started at the home asked me if I wanted to see a book in his room. He brought out a book, almost like a high school yearbook but instead a book full of documents and images of the ship he was on during the war," she explained. "He took me picture by picture, and I knew that this is something I wanted to be a part of. Mr. Barker took me under his wing to welcome me, he is my hunny bunny and I will be forever indebted to him."

McDaniel said that when she first started looking for volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross she was afraid that she wouldn't be accepted because of her stroke, or that she wouldn't find the right place to serve. Her mindset soon changed when she got involved.

"Under the Red Cross umbrella, there are so many opportunities for people. If you're interested in the military aspect, you can do SAF. If you're interested in disaster, you can join the Disaster Action Team (DAT). They have a place for everyone. It doesn't matter who you are - that is it, they just accept you. I didn't know if I was going to get involved but I learned that if you give a little, you'll get so much more in return," marveled McDaniel.

"Oh, and the people!" exclaimed McDaniel. "The people, the staff and the volunteers, they're like family now. I have never encountered such a group of people that are so dedicated and focused on their cause and the purpose of the Red Cross. It doesn't matter which group of people I'm speaking about, they all amaze me."

Last week was National Volunteer Week, and we continue to salute volunteers like Julie year-round. Volunteers make up more than 90 percent of the Red Cross and are the reason we can work toward our mission every day. To join Julie in Service to the Armed Forces or to learn about other volunteer opportunities, visit redcross.org to start your Red Cross story today. 

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Make a Red Cross Resolution

by Raul Jauregui, volunteer contributor

Join us in 2014!

2014 is upon us and you’ve probably been thinking about your new year's resolutions. Maybe it’s getting back to the gym, getting your finances straightened out or simply being better this year. As you’re thinking about which resolutions to tackle, I’m encouraging you to make your year impactful to complete strangers -- devote some time to volunteering. It’s a great way to create positive vibes within you and the people around you. It can have a long lasting effect on people you may never meet but knowing you made a difference in someone’s life is truly a gift. 

The Red Cross is the perfect organization that can help you meet these needs. There’s something for everyone, like setting up a blood drive in your local community, learning how to perform CPR or helping victims who are devastated by a disaster. These are all ways you can help the Red Cross and make your 2014 a year full of meaning. 

The motivation and determination to stay active with the Red Cross is the challenge some of us may face, but if you dedicated one day a month to volunteering with the Red Cross, imagine how you will feel in December. It’s like achieving any goal; the way you find success is by being consistent and staying focused. 

So, here’s to your New Year’s resolution! This is your year for all the right changes; just make sure to include volunteering with the Red Cross a part of the change in 2014. It will create wonders in your life and for those who come across the Red Cross during times of need. 

For more information about how you can join the Red Cross, visit RedCross.org/DFW to start your application today!

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Make A Difference Day: You Can Make a Difference

by Catherine Carlton, volunteer contributor

Make a Difference Day is a big deal at Red Cross, and it’s not.

It’s a big deal because so many people come together to support helping those in need. It’s not, because the Red Cross makes a difference in people’s lives every day.

My reason for giving is because life has taught me that you never know when it might be “your turn” to turn to the community for help.

For me, giving back is a priority. 

The Red Cross mission is: “The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.”

It’s the kind of mission that you can easily understand and want to be a part of. You want to help make a difference in alleviating suffering. 

Be it a fire, a floor, a tornado or earthquake, the Red Cross is often the first one there to make a difference.

You can make a difference, too.  You just have to choose what you want to do. It’s easy. Start with a day: today.  You’ll see how easy and fullfilling it is, and eventually it won’t be just a day. 

• Learn about giving blood.
• Make a donation.
• Volunteer.
• Take a class. 

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Taking Action on Make a Difference Day

by Jennifer Holland Jameson, volunteer contributor

Volunteer this Make a Difference Day.

As a Navy wife constantly relocating to new cities and a mom of two kids, I’ve had to suspend my defiantly independent attitude and ask for help in countless ways. There’s a certain level of expectation for family members to lend support in tough times, but the assistance from strangers simply astounds me sometimes. It’s that kind of unconditional generosity that gives me hope for a future where my children will thrive. 

I’ve often wondered how to foster a heart for acts of service in these two tiny people who are so inward focused and oblivious to the hurt of others outside of their toy-packed playroom. How do I instill in my son and daughter that same inspiration of hope I found? 

I needed to show them. 

Like most busy moms, I didn’t know how to give any more of myself when I already felt defeated at any given moment. The demands of a newborn and a preschooler had reduced me to a walking napkin that smelled like BO and soured milk. I desired to make a difference in my community, but I didn’t know how to do it. 

The afternoon I watched news reports of determined men and women pulling dirtied, bloody children from an obliterated elementary school after a tornado struck Moore, Okla., I knew I could no longer sit on the couch and just cry. I was motivated more than ever to DO something. 

The American Red Cross was the first website I checked. Instead of just donating money, I was enticed by the “volunteer” tab. I was fascinated by all of the ways this iconic charity mapped out how anyone could help that wasn’t just rushing to the scene of a disaster or giving blood. 

It was such a gift to find a position that called for writers, a skill I had honed as a newspaper journalist before I became a mom. I’m eager to pour myself into my north Texas community and learn new skills through the many training options. 

Finally, I have an opportunity that allows me to make a difference and show my children how to give hope to others.

This Make a Difference Day, don't just think about wanting to make a difference, do it. Take the first step at RedCross.org/DFW.

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Exploring Team Red Cross: The App

by Tonya Solis-Mosby, volunteer contributor

I did it! I became a member (again) of TeamRed Cross. On its first day in the social media world, I downloaded the new American Red Cross Volunteer App. 

I think I fell in love at start up, when the new Red Cross button logo appeared and then faded away only to bring forth a bright, crisp video showing the loving and caring faces of some American Red Cross volunteers.

From there, I was encouraged to sign up to “help where needed.” I didn’t choose the option to sign in using Facebook, so I took the steps to create a new account.  I was happy when through the process I was able to make it known that I’m already a Red Cross Volunteer, because when I started the process I worried I might duplicate or make harder some process.  But with the confidence that in some database somewhere, they will find me, I moved on through the process.

I entered my present location as prompted and I opted to receive push notifications. A screen promptly informed me there were current missions where I could help. On the next screen or so, details about the missions appeared on separate screens. I could donate blood; donate money or become a digital campaigner.

The digital campaigner mission sparked my interest, so I selected that option.

Once I completed a few questions about my social media abilities, I was on my way!  They promised to get back with me, and I promise I’m waiting.

Before finishing the sign up process, I received my reward. I was granted three achievement badges – just for signing up.

View the following slideshow for a tour of the application:

Like the other wonderful Red Cross apps, such as the Tornado App and the Hurricane App, the Team Red Cross App gives you more than expected. In addition to allowing you to sign up to volunteer, this app gives users real time alerts and Red Cross shelter locations. Also, there is various information regarding disaster preparation, what to do in case of and immediately after a disaster, and information regarding the services offered by the Red Cross. This information is presented in a variety of ways, including through quizzes and videos.

Overall, this is one app you would not want to miss. It's available for free for both iOS and Android devices. All of the Red Cross apps, including Team Red Cross, can be found in iTunes and Google Play by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/mobileapps.

With this app, you can be on the front lines when disaster strikes. Take a tour of the app & then join the Team!

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New Website for Red Cross Equals New Opportunitites to Prepare

It's new. It's improved. And it's all about you! Red Cross DFW has launched a new website and we hope you'll take a tour, a class and maybe even get involved. Listen to Dan Halyburton, one of our Public Affairs volunteers, as he walks you through the new site. While you can still get to our site by visiting www.redcrossdallas.org, we've  joined with our sister city in the Metroplex-Fort. Worth, and will include information pertaining to the entire metroplex area. We hope to see you there!

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Turning Desperation Into Inspiration

Written by Kristina Brevard, volunteer contributor

As I packed my “Red Cross Go Bag” in preparation to respond to Isaac this week, I realized that it was seven years ago this week that I started my volunteer journey with the American Red Cross.

It’s the same images we are seeing today that I remember seeing seven years ago—flooded streets, the barefoot people fleeing with only a few belongings, boarded up homes half submerged. These images were the images that made me act. I knew I could help, I just didn't know how. That's when I contacted the Red Cross. "Teach me, train me, prepare me so I am not helpless to these people who need us," I said to the person on the other line.

And they did!

Highway 90 by Lake Saint Catherine near Slidell, Louisiana.
Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross

Thinking back to my first couple of weeks working in the shelters brings tears to my eyes as I remember the evacuees walking into the shelter looking so defeated, carrying garbage bags of the only belongings they could carry out of their homes. 

It was devastating. But by me being there, I offered hope and some level of comfort to these strangers who were in desperate need of a place to temporarily call “home.” As the days went on, I’d  observe the crowds with their eyes glued to the television hoping to get a glimpse of hope that their neighborhood was still standing. The daily questions I’d answer were, “Are they letting people back in to the neighborhoods? When is the shelter closing?” There were so many unknowns to all of them and though I couldn’t always provide them with answers, I could provide them with a shoulder to cry on, a joke to laugh at or something as simple as a hot cup of coffee.

My heart breaks because I know those same questions are being asked today in the more than 80 shelters that are currently open in seven states.

Shelter residents who left the Gulf Coast ahead of Isaac
and are staying in Texas until it's safe to return home.
Photo by Kim Purintun/American Red Cross.

The good news is, you don't have to feel hopeless as you watch the coverage. There is a way to help! Empower yourself, take action and make a difference in someone else's life. Here are all the ways that you can get involved.

Volunteer: 

Volunteers give the personal connection that is needed desperately during times of disasters. Currently, we are training volunteers to respond those who need us during hurricane season through Saturday. Click for schedule.

Donate:

Every dollar matters. Go to redcross.org, call 1-800-redcross, or you can text 90999 to REDCROSS to give a $10 donation. 

Be an Advocate:

Donate your digital messages to us! Every message you retweet, share and comment on makes a difference. Your comments may lead to a gift or inspire someone else to give. Please like and recommend our page on Facebook at Red Cross DFW and follow us on Twitter @RedCrossDFW to see how we are helping with the hurricane relief here at home.  

Through seven years and numerous disaster responses, I have one one thing to be true—human connection is needed to heal. Volunteering isn’t a only a one-sided, unselfish act, it's a gift to those who need healing and I have the warm memories of making an impact on the lives of families who can only plan for today.

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Together We Serve: Making the Red Cross Part of your Place of Worship’s Ministry Program

Written by Lilly Watson, staff contributor 

Churches and other places of worship are designed to host groups of people who want to come together under their common faith. While the common belief system of the congregates might be what originally brings them together, there’s usually lots of activities and groups at churches for the many hobbies that might be shared amongst members. Check a local church community board and you’ll typically find anything from quilting club, bunko, singles groups and more.

Faith Bible Church in DeSoto, Texas, had a unique idea for a new ministry group after watching Hurricane Katrina roll into the Gulf Coast on the news seven years ago. They saw people come into the Dallas area with nowhere to go and wanted to be there the next time nature put people in need of shelter. They wanted to come together as a church in service under the leadership and training of the Red Cross. 

Faith Bible Church’s impressive building, with full working kitchens, a roomy gymnasium, and special rooms that could sleep families with infants, was the perfect place to operate as a community shelter. After a few years of training and waiting for the disaster call, the church officially opened its doors to potential evacuees from Hurricane Isaac last night. 

Soon after beginning their training it was easy to see that the Red Cross has a role for all kinds of skill sets and interests on a disaster team. The ladies of Faith Bible know and love cooking for a crowd and signed on as the feeding committee. Young men from the youth group were ready to unload the trailer and pop open cots once supplies arrive. Even Pastor Andy was on hand at the opening to do what he does best in his role – lend personal support and encouragement to the staff. 

I always love hearing how new volunteers find their way to the Red Cross. The story of the people at Faith Bible Church is one that will be hard for me to ever forget. What’s better than completing your training and starting your Red Cross story alongside 50 of your fellow church members?

The Red Cross will always be ready to take volunteers, whether you’re coming solo to meet new people or you’re part of a group that wants to find new ways to grow and serve as a team. As Faith Bible Church learned last night, you never know when your Red Cross preparedness will be called upon, and we were so grateful that they took our call! 

To find out more about volunteering with the Red Cross, visit redcrossdallas.org.

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Red Cross DFW Prepared to Help Hurricane Isaac Evacuees

Written by Anita Foster, Chief Communications Officer, American Red Cross: 

As I type this message to you this morning, I do so with great uncertainty on what the day will hold. Hurricanes are quite unpredictable. Late last week, we were busy deploying relief workers so they could be in place before Isaac made landfall. We were fairly certain that he would come ashore along the Florida coastline, but what a difference a couple of days can make. 

After waking up on Sunday, I took a look at the latest forecast models and started to see Isaac making a shift to the west. I called some of my fellow Red Crossers and we discussed the model. For the first time since its formation, we knew that our teams in DFW and East Texas might just be called to action because New Orleans now appeared within the "cone of probability". 

This morning, not only is New Orleans in the cone, it's in the center of it. What does that mean for DFW? In a nutshell, it means that we have to be ready to provide safe shelter for thousands of people and we'll need to do it quickly. 

Throughout the day today, all of us will have phones glued to our ears and we'll be frantically typing messages to volunteers, national headquarters, government officials and each other just to be sure everything is lined up in case people from New Orleans head toward DFW for a safe place to stay. 

We'll keep you posted on our activities throughout the day so please check back here. You can also follow us on Twitter @RedCrossDFW or join us on our Facebook page: Red Cross DFW. See you later today! 

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Weather and Wildfires Keeping Red Cross Busy Across Texas

On Friday, fire officials fighting fires near Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas sought help from the American Red Cross by asking our teams to provide bottled water and Gatorade around the clock to their teams protecting life and property. Within hours, Red Cross volunteer had trucks loaded and hit the road. As those crews continue their work near the lake, new crews are loading other trucks and getting ready to assess storm damage across Tarrant and Johnson Counties. The work never ends, and we can't do it without you. To become a volunteer or make a financial donation to help the Red Cross always be ready to roll, go to www.redcross.org.

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Birthday Celebration Complete with Kids and Puppies: 200-Year-Old Citi Gives Back

Written by David Peveto, intern staff contributor 

If you were turning 200-years-old, how would you celebrate? Citi came down to the Dallas Area Chapter of the American Red Cross North Texas Region to celebrate both their anniversary as a bank, and the seventh annual Global Community Day. 

Source: facebook.com/Citi

Around 150 members of the DFW community of Citibank employees and their families made the trek to spend the morning learning lifesaving skills, helping keep the Red Cross on track and ready to respond to whatever may come their way with volunteer projects, and from what I could tell, have a good time in the process. Which brings me to the main theme I found, little kids doing anything are adorable, oh, and volunteering is good. 

Source: Flickr American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter

Throughout the day the Citibank community had the chance to do several activities including: packing and preparing Piper the Puppy for deployment, watching the Red Cross produced film F5, getting hands-only CPR training, and going on a tour of our facilities to get a basic understanding of how the Red Cross operates from day to day in Dallas. As a new intern here at the Red Cross, they let me have sort of free reign over where I was able to go and cover the event. I was able to go in and out of all facets of the day. 

I spent the most time in the room with teaching hands only CPR—a refined technique of CPR which eliminates the breaths and other parts of traditional CPR, and only requires the participant to provide chest compressions to the victim at approximately 100 beats per minute, ironically “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees is a common recommendation to set the pace for a life saving rhythm.

Watching the adults participating, and enjoying the experience of learning the steps was interesting, but watching the families of the employees was by far the more entertaining thing. Seeing these 4-8 year old kids trying their hardest to perform chest compressions on a CPR training dummy, and failing to have the strength to fully utilize the skills being taught to them. 

One very young boy was absolutely determined to save the practice dummy's life, so his father was as slyly as possible placing his hands on either side of his son’s and doing 99% of the work, but it didn’t matter at the end of the day. It was evident, this kid was filled with a sense of pride, which was mutually shared by his parents. 

Packing and prepping Piper the Puppy was a similar situation, the minutia of which forms and papers go into the bag to prep our beloved puppy isn't emotionally charged, or visually interesting, for that matter. But these kids knew they were prepping stuffed animals that would help other kids get through some of the most traumatic experiences. I'm pretty sure that helping like that isn't something they will forget anytime soon.

And throughout all of these experiences, I had an epiphany. 

Source: Flickr American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter

It wasn’t just the kids who were enjoying themselves and extremely eager to participate, it was everyone there. I was able to see a group of people legitimately get a kick out of taking time out of their busy lives to help others make this world a better place—what could be better than this for a birthday wish?

If you’d like to learn more about how you can give your time to prevent and alleviate human suffering in your community go to redcross.org/volunteer.

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Tornadoes Not Behind Us: Hurricanes Ahead

by Anita Foster, Communications Officer, American Red Cross North Texas Region

On the heels of a widespread tornado outbreak that left thousands of people without a place to live, and just a little under a month from the official start of Hurricane Season 2012, the American Red Cross is appealing for new volunteers to join the organization in advance of the next storm.

Red Cross volunteer, Dan Halyburton, assures a Forney
storm victim that help is available.  

            On Saturday, May 5, between 1:00p.m. and 5:00p.m., the American Red Cross will swing open the doors at their Dallas and Fort Worth offices and invite new potential volunteers to come learn how the organization responds to events like the April tornado outbreak.

            During the tornadoes, the American Red Cross operated four shelters, served more than 40,000 meals and snacks, handed out some 6,000 clean-up items like tarps, shovels and rakes and helped nearly 500 people with their health and mental health needs. All of this work was done by 328 Red Cross workers; 85% of which were volunteers.

            “When disasters such as the tornadoes strike, people want to get involved with the Red Cross right then,” said T.D. Smyers, regional chief executive officer, American Red Cross North Texas Region. “What we really want folks to do is to train when the sky is blue so that when the time comes, you’ve got the training, we know your skill-set and we can put you to work right away.”

            Smyers goes on to say that the Open Houses this weekend are the ideal opportunity to come meet the Red Cross and find out where you fit in.

            

“There’s a place for everyone at the Red Cross. Just to name a few jobs: you can run a forklift, drive a feeding truck, attend telethons or work directly with families. It takes a lot of volunteers to respond to large disasters. We saw that with the April tornadoes. And hurricane season is just a month away.”

            The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex serves as the primary evacuation site for storms that hit the Houston/Galveston area. In 2008, the American Red Cross sheltered more than 5,000 people when Hurricane Ike barreled across the area. In 2005, just over 28,000 evacuees from New Orleans and South Texas sheltered in DFW. The Reunion Arena shelter, staffed 24/7 by volunteers, was open for a record-breaking 41 consecutive days.

           

Join Us on Saturday, May 5, 2012 between 1:00p.m. and 5:00p.m. at either location: 

American Red Cross
4800 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, Texas
--or--
American Red Cross
1515 S. Sylvania Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas

No RSVP needed...just stop by when you can! If you’re unable to stop by on Saturday, but still want to volunteer, click on www.redcross.org to find your local American Red Cross chapter. 

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From My Perspective: 2012 Red Cross Public Affairs Institute

By American Red Cross intern, Rex Anne Waggoner

Photos by American Red Cross volunteer, Ralph Navarro

From My Perspective is a blog series that tells stories about Red Cross events and happenings from the vision of a Red Cross worker. Our Public Affairs intern, Rex Anne Waggoner, attended our Public Affairs Institute in Dallas and is excited to share her thoughts on the experience with you on our blog!

I am an intern for the American Red Cross South Plains Regional Chapter and I was invited to partake in the Public Affairs Institute hosted by the North Texas Region on Feb. 18-19, 2012. I participated in three workshops on how the media and the Red Cross spokespersons communicate to have the Red Cross message delivered under duress (i.e. an apartment complex on fire or a National Disaster).

Frankly, I didn’t know what to expect, just that there would be Red Cross representatives from Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Our instructors were former journalists ranging from print to broadcast who have been in the field longer than I have been alive. I enjoyed listening to their accounts and experiences.

John Hoffmann and Robert Hinkle showed us how to be prepared when we are bombarded with questions by journalists which was an experience I needed to have. Concentrating between a pair of eyes and knowing there’s a camera always rolling was a reminder for me to not take a lax position in my Red Cross duties since we never know what does and doesn’t get edited out in the final cut.

Chris Yates, a former broadcast journalist who is also a social media entrepreneur, showed us how to make a video on the fly. I learned to always focus on audio when filming, otherwise the video is compromised and your message is tuned out.

Chris Osborne, a reporter, showed us how to make a Twitter account and use “Tweetspeak ,” to let the Red Cross chapters and the surrounding communities know about volunteer opportunities or vital messaging if there is a crisis. Chris informed us how much Twitter did help him during the Tornado disaster in his home town in Alabama last year.

My favorite class was “Talk to the Glass,” our on-camera course, since I thought it was good practice to not be unsettled with viewers watching me from their homes. I was nervous at first but I used my adrenaline to project my voice so I could be understood clearly. It was a good reminder that journalists are the conduit of my message but that I have to remain objective. At the end of the day my audience is everyone at home trying to obtain our vital messaging during disasters!

The shooting video and photography drill was fun since I got to be an “actress” while conveying the message of the Red Cross. I did find it challenging to answer the message in 15 to 90 seconds of my story pitch since I just didn’t know how to verbalize the Red Cross message effectively. That was a lesson for me!

Photography was an interesting viewpoint from Gene Dailey, a national Red Cross photographer. I learned about tackling different perspectives with the light always at my back to taking low-shots for the angle of the picture to convey a mood or a message and to apply the Rule of Thirds which was something I learned in my PR Graphics class here at Texas Tech.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience at the PA Institute and the opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds, and be in a place where effective communication was a real-life application.

The Red Cross engages professional communicators to help accomplish our mission. If you’re a trained photographer, videographer, social media influencer or spokesperson, there is a place for you. Just click on http://www.redcross.org/ to find your local Red Cross chapter.

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Veterans History Project

The Veterans History Project (VHP) collects and preserves the remembrances of American war veterans and civilian workers who supported them. These collections of first-hand accounts are archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for use by researchers and to serve as an inspiration for generations to come. The Project collects remembrances of veterans who served in World War I, World War II, the Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War (1990-1995), or Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts (2001-present). U.S. citizen civilians who actively supported war efforts (such as war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, defense contractors, etc.) are also invited to share their valuable stories. VHP relies on volunteers throughout the nation to collect veterans’ stories on behalf of the Library of Congress. These stories are made available to researchers and the general public, both at the Library in Washington, D.C., and via the Veterans History Project website.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service and the American Red Cross-North Texas Region are partnering to recruit and train volunteers in your community to collect veterans stories on be-half of the U.S. Library of Congress. Volunteers are needed to record the stories of Texas' 1.7 million veterans, before it is too late; more than 1,000 veterans die every day in the U.S.

We depend on people like YOU to record and submit first-person narratives by wartime veterans.

We are offering a FREE training for those in the community age 16+ wanting to become part of this historical project!

You're invited to join us at one of these locations:

American Red Cross North Texas Region
4800 Harry Hines Blvd
Dallas, TX 75235

November 4
8:30am—12:30pm
Lunch will be provided

RSVP To:
Brian Moeschler
972-632-2615
moeschlerb@usa.redcross.org

Fort Worth VA Outpatient Clinic
2201 SE Loop 820
Fort Worth, TX 76119

November 8th
8:30am—12:30pm
Lunch will be provided

RSVP To:
Bimal Chaudhry
817-730-0078
bimal.chaudhry@va.gov

Bonham VA
1201 E. Ninth Street
Bonham, TX 75418

November 16th
9:00am—1:00pm
Lunch will be provided

RSVP To:
Tina McDaniel
903-583-6282
tina.mcdaniel@va.gov

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